Montgomery County passed legislation (Bill 8-11) on May 3, 2011, that places a five-cent charge on each paper or plastic carryout bag provided by retail establishments in the County to customers at the point of sale, pickup or delivery. Retailers retain 1 cent of each 5 cents for the bags they sell a customer.

The revenues from this charge will be deposited into the County’s Water Quality Protection Charge (WQPC) fund. The revenues will effectively shift the burden of litter clean up costs from public taxpayers to consumers who have a choice to avoid the 5-cent charge by bringing reusable bags.